New VBAC Guidelines

I'm so happy to see that ACOG has revised their guidelines for VBAC. Not that I needed them telling me I can attempt a VBA2C but it certainly will help my case for my next pregnancy (not sure when that will be yet, but I do hope to have another baby).
Here's a yahoo article summarizing the news and here is the ACOG press release statement.
Main take away quote: "Attempting a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is a safe and appropriate choice for most women who have had a prior cesarean delivery, including for some women who have had two previous cesareans, according to guidelines released today by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists."
VBAC facts gives an analysis of the statement and ICAN has a response as well.

Yes, this is a step in the right direction. Now I hope to see it put into practice.

A very special VBAC

Last week I had the privilege to be my friend's doula for her VBAC. Her first birth was by cesarean for severe preeclampsia at 8 months when her baby was still breech. She went in for a doctors appointment and they sent her straight to the hospital for her c-section. She had a difficult recovery and her baby was in the NICU for eight days.
Well, this pregnancy 2 years later was much better! She did a lot of things to make sure she was healthy and she didn't have preeclampsia. She decided she wanted a VBAC (I like to hope that sharing my story helped).
She went 6 days past her due date and had her baby the day before Audrey's 2nd birthday. She was sooo strong and determined to have her VBAC, when many other women would have given up. She had a very long labor and she pushed for 5 hours!!! Her doctor kept giving her time constraints, saying that she would have to have a c-section after 2 hours of pushing. Two hours came and went and the OB gave her another half hour, then another, then 15 more minutes, than 15 more, than a few more pushes, then a few more, then just one more, then just one more and so on! By the end it was seriously down to the last push, "For real this time!" said the OB, and then he came out, all 9 pounds, 3 ounce of him. It was so wonderful! The dad cried and so did I. My friend had mouthed to me near the end "say a prayer for me" I was saying very sincere prayers for my friend silently. She is such a good person, she deserved to be blessed this way.
Being close to Audrey's birthday brought back memories of her birth. Why didn't I go into labor? Why did my midwife not encourage me? I wish I had surrounded myself by people that supported me like my friend did. As difficult as my experience was/is, I am glad for where it has brought me today. Two years after my daughter's birth--in which I could have lost her because of complications of the c-section--I got to witness a successful VBAC of a good friend. My birth experience led me to the journey of being a doula, and that has been so rewarding. With every birth I attend (17 now!) I feel a little bit more healed, because I got to be part of a wonderful birth. Each birth I attend is so special to me. This one with my friend was so special because of how hard she worked and how strong and amazing she was. I'm so happy for her!

Big baby boy born naturally!

I had the privilege of attending my friend's birth the other week as her doula. She did amazing! I was happy to see she wrote her birth story so I'll just leave it for you in her words, here.

I love this poem!

Waiting

Dear Baby, here beneath my heart,
I thought that you might come today;
The timing seemed just right.

But the stars are out
And the moon is high
And sheepishly I wonder why
I try to arrange the plans
Of God.

For now I know
You will not come
Until the One who holds eternity
Rustles your soft cocoon
And whispers in tones that I will not hear,
"It's time, precious gift."

"Now it's time."

-by Robin Jones Gunn

I send this to many of my clients, especially if they go past their "due date".

A doctor has a VBA2C

I loved this story! Enjoy it if you haven't already seen it. It's about an OB who has a VBA2C.

VBA2C information

I am still a VBA2C hopeful someday. I remember after I had Audrey I thought for a short while that I would always have to have cesareans after that. But that thought didn't last long. Soon I learned the acronym VBAmC (Vaginal birth after multiple cesareans) and I was so hopeful. A lot of women have done it before me, and they truly paved the way for other women. I was talking with a friend the other day who thought she was out of options too after having 2 c-sections, but I told her it doesn't have to be that way. Of course, some women may not want to choose a VBA2C, but for someone who wants one but is told it's not possible, I want to give them hope.

Here in Chicago area we have at least one place with a good track record of VBA2C, and that's UIC, University of Illinois at Chicago. I saw them for an annual exam last year and they told me that I certainly had the option of VBA2C when I have my next baby. They have midwives there, and Dr. Judith Hibbard is apparently the one to see who overseas the VBA2C deliveries. There is another doctor up in Elk Grove who has done some VBA2Cs according to my ICAN list. I also know some women who have had HBA2C, (home birth) though there are no legal midwives or doctors who will attend them. (Here in Illinois only CNMs can legally attend home births, and only one of the 5 or so CNMs attends a primary HBAC after 1 cesarean).

There is hope!

There is so much information on the web. Here is a brief list of some helpful links:


ICAN online --International Cesarean Awareness Network is a great place to start!


This is a great blog entry that talks about the history of cesareans . The book Pushed by Jennifer Block also gives the most comprehensive background on the issues behind VBAC, and how the VBAC lash isn't really strictly about safey.
Other good reads are Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin, Birth: the Surprising history of how we are born, by Tina Cassidy and Born in the USA by Mardsen Wagner.

I love this video about one woman's journey of VBA2C.

Here is some great information about VBA2C by Kmom, who is such a good writer and an experienced VBA2C mom.

On her site she has a big list of VBAmC stories

There has been a lot of coverage lately in the media, including this Chicago tribune article on VBAC, with story of VBA2C


Also, I love these videos:





Here is a article covering the research that says VBA2C a safe option for many women,

Even for women with three cesareans it may still be a safe option! says another article.

Although I have not had my VBA2C yet (I'm not even sure when I'll have my next baby) I do believe that it is possible for women who desire it and are willing to take the road "less travelled by". It may just make all the difference. I'm so thankful to the women who have gone before me and had VBA2C. They are an inspiration to me!!

Chicago Doula Conference!!

I plan on going to this--please come as well if you are interested! Here's the print of the flyer:





2010 Doula Conference - May 2nd - $10 for all events

Congratulations Doulas & Welcome Birthing Community,

The 2010 Doula Conference will be held at Swedish Covenant Hospital in the Main Auditorium from 9 am-5 pm. The Conference will focus on bonding and what doulas do!

The Conference will have over fifty doulas, some from other states, even a few flying to be here! There will be many types of birthing professionals, mommas and the birthing community. Spread the word to your students, mommy groups, pregnant mommas, new mommas, anyone who wants to know,
"What's a doula do?" Breastfeeding and Baby Slinging is encouraged! A designated doula will be available to help Mom's find changing rooms, restrooms and peaceful places to relax.

The conference will have a Meet-in-Greet, Breakfast, dozen Speakers and Take home Materials, plus a Raffle: Body care, Chocolate Fondue, Baby Slings, Books, Doula Products, Photography Packages and much much more! One free ticket with entrance. You can buy more for a dollar. Fun between Speakers. The cost for all of this? Only ten dollars!!!


Guest Speakers Include:


Keynote Speaker-How we Bond

Peggy Healy, MS, IBCLC, RLC


Le Leche League & Breastfeeding

Juli Billings Walter, IBCLC, LLL Leader


Midwifery and Water Birth

Hillary Brown Kieser, CNM


The International Cesarean Awareness Network, Inc. (ICAN)


Childbirth Education, VBAC Safety and Cesarean Prevention

Holly Barhamand, CD(DONA), CCE(BWI)


Baby Steps to Pain Relief

Dr. Roy Settergren, MS, DC, ART

Chiropractic Physician, Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology


The Brain Network and Childbirth

Dr. Sean Manning


The Newborn’s Mind & Postpartum Time

Theresa Soloma, Postpartum Doula


Placenta Encapsulation

Dona Grassity CD(DONA), CIMI, PES

Debbie Pocica


Infant Massage:

How to help Parents Bond

Lauren Wiejak (CD) DONA, CEIM, LMT


Developing your Inner Doula

Colleen Curry, CD(DONA), AAHCC, LLL


Swedish Covenant Staff TBD


Professional Photography at Conference

Maggie Glovatski Cuprisin




We look forward to seeing you there!!! Download the PDF Flyer and/or forward this email, spread the word!


Swedish Covenant Hospital, Main Auditorium
5145 North California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 878-8200
swedishcovenant.org‎
Check in is at 9:00 am.

Contact me with ANY questions or to buy Tickets!!!

Lisa Talley
Certified DONA Doula
Certified Lactation Specialist
www.dotingdoula.webs.com
dotingdoula@gmail.com
760-331-8016

Just beautiful

This video brought me to tears. Women are so beautiful and so strong!

The Guide to a Healthy Birth

Here is a great resource pamphlet titled "The Guide to a Healthy Birth." Check it out!

It covers some great topics like:
Induction, VBAC, doulas, breastfeeding, and bonding after birth.

What makes a good VBAC candidate

(This was written by Michelle Lang, a woman on one of my VBAC lists, VBAC HOPE, which is a Christian VBAC list. I love it! Printed here with her permission)


"A good VBAC candidate is a mother who dearly loves her children and her unborn child and wants the best for them today and in the future. She is a mother who respects the birth process and God's special interest and involvement in it. She prays and asks God for strength and wisdom.

Daniel 11:28 but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

A good VBAC candidate chooses a wise and helpful birth attendant and a safe place to give birth. She is fully learned in the risks and benefits of each intervention and can say no and defend her own body and that of her unborn child when pressure comes. She surrounds herself with supporters so that she remains firm in her decisions. She studies up on issues so that she is not taken by surprise or flustered during labour or when giving birth. During labour, she requests and takes those things that she needs and takes care of herself.

A good VBAC candidate is healthy and nurtures herself and her child who is being knit in her womb. She is aware of her child's uterine nutritional needs and developmental stages. She provides a safe environment for her unborn baby and allows her child ample time to grow and develop naturally. She knows the indicators and stages for labour and giving birth and is focused on recognizing the stages as they progress and listening to her intuition which guides her.

I know you were looking for a different response, but I couldn't resist! ;) You can do it Mamas! I'm praying for you and my heart longs for you to be able to go into labour naturally on your own in your own time.

Michelle in AB"

empowering birth poem

I love this poem! I wanted to link it so I can refer to it whenever I want some birth inspiration.
I found it at Empowering Birth Blog.

HBAC twin video

I love this video! Great story, beautiful babies, and a beautiful belly (including post c-section, I'm a little jealous.)